Herbert S. Terrace was sceptical of the so-called language-use by
Washoe, Sarah and Lana. He compared the abilities of the apes with those found in pigeons
which are taught to peck keys in a specific order. All apes signed only to receive reward
from their trainers. If you have a look at the first and mostly used words of the animals
in the projects you will find that they are almost all related to food, drink and other
desirable activities like tickling and chasing.

Therefore Terrace raised and trained Nim Chimpsky (named after the
famous linguistic theorist Noam Chomsky who stated that the predisposition for language
acquisition is innate). The method was the same used with Washoe and Nim learned about 125
signs. He demonstrated some syntax by using the verb more frequently before the object
than vice versa (e.g. "hug Nim" instead of "Nim hug"). Nim did apply
some of the signs in a new context (e.g. DIRTY when he had to go to the toilet). He also
warned people by using the signs for ANGRY and BITE and tended not to attack if this
warning was heeded.

But by analysing the videos of the training sessions Terrace found
that Nim's signs often were imitations of the signs the trainer first used. Terrace et al. (1979) concluded that there was
little evidence that Nim was actually using language. They also found out by analysing
Washoe's videos that she mimicked the trainer like Nim did.

Nim is now retired and lives at the Black Beauty Ranch of the Fund
for Animals. Click here for an article about him and the other chimps living there.